Content Review:
- Accuracy: Verify facts, data, and references to ensure all information is correct and up-to-date.
- Clarity: Check if ideas are clearly and effectively communicated. Ensure that complex concepts are explained in a way that is easy to understand.
- Relevance: Ensure that each section and chapter contributes to the book’s main theme or argument and remove any off-topic material.
Structure and Organization:
- Flow: Assess the logical flow of information and how well each chapter transitions to the next. Make sure the book has a coherent structure.
- Chapter Arrangement: Verify that chapters are organized in a way that builds upon previous content and supports the book’s overall goals.
- Headings and Subheadings: Ensure that headings and subheadings accurately reflect the content of each section and help guide the reader.
Style and Tone:
- Consistency: Check for consistency in tone, style, and voice throughout the manuscript. Make sure it aligns with the intended audience and purpose.
- Engagement: Evaluate whether the writing engages the reader and maintains their interest. Look for opportunities to make the content more compelling.
Grammar and Syntax:
- Grammar: Correct any grammatical errors, including punctuation, sentence structure, and word usage.
- Syntax: Ensure that sentences are clear and logically constructed. Avoid overly complex or convoluted sentences.
Formatting:
- Consistency: Ensure that formatting is consistent throughout the manuscript, including font size, line spacing, and indentation.
- References: Check the formatting of citations, footnotes, and bibliographies to ensure they adhere to the chosen style guide.
Redundancy and Conciseness:
- Repetition: Identify and eliminate redundant or repetitive content. Ensure that each section contributes new information or perspectives.
- Conciseness: Trim unnecessary words or overly lengthy explanations to make the writing more concise and impactful.
Feedback Integration:
- Incorporate Feedback: If you’ve received feedback from beta readers or reviewers, incorporate their suggestions and address any concerns they’ve raised.
Why Self-Edit Your Book Before Submitting it for Publishing Yet the Publisher Will Still Edit Again?
Shows Professionalism: A well-edited manuscript demonstrates to publishers that you are serious about your work and have put in the effort to polish it. This can make your submission stand out and increase the likelihood of acceptance.
Saves Time and Money: While publishers will edit your manuscript, self-editing helps reduce the amount of work they need to do. This can potentially save time and money on editing costs, which may be beneficial for both you and the publisher.
Reduces Overwhelm: Publishers often deal with numerous submissions. By self-editing, you help streamline their process, making it easier for them to focus on substantive issues rather than basic errors or structural problems.
Improves Manuscript Quality: Self-editing allows you to address issues with clarity, structure, and style before professional editing. This can result in a more polished manuscript, making it easier for the publisher to refine rather than completely overhaul.
Clarifies Your Vision: Self-editing helps you ensure that your book effectively communicates your intended message and maintains a consistent tone and style. This clarity makes it easier for editors to understand and enhance your vision.
Enhances Readability: By addressing issues like grammar, syntax, and organization, you improve the readability of your manuscript. This can lead to more effective editing by professionals, who can then focus on higher-level revisions.
Strengthens Your Submission: A well-edited manuscript can make a stronger impression on agents or publishers, potentially speeding up the review process and increasing your chances of getting a publishing deal.
Increases Confidence: Self-editing helps you gain confidence in your manuscript’s quality. Knowing that you’ve done your best to polish your work can make you more receptive to professional feedback and revisions.
Formatting Guidelines
1. General Formatting
- Font: Use a standard, readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
- Font Size: Set the font size to 12-point.
- Line Spacing: Use 1.5 spacing throughout the manuscript. This makes it easier for editors to read and mark up the text.
- Margins: Set margins to 1 inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
- Alignment: Align the text to the left and right.
- Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the header or footer of each page. Typically, page numbers are placed in the top right corner.
2. Title Page
- Title: Center the title in the upper half of the page.
- Subtitle: If applicable, place the subtitle directly beneath the title.
- Author Name: Center your name below the title or subtitle.
- Contact Information: Include your name, address, phone number, and email address centered at the bottom of the page.
3. Chapter Headings
- Chapter Titles: Begin each chapter on a new page. Center the chapter title or number at the top of the page, usually in bold or a larger font size.
- Subheadings: Use subheadings to break up sections within chapters. Make sure they are formatted consistently and are easy to distinguish from the main text.
4. Text Formatting
- Indentation: Do ntot indent the first line of each paragraph. Do not add extra space between paragraphs.
- Dialogue: For fiction or narrative non-fiction, format dialogue with a new paragraph for each speaker, and use standard quotation marks.
- Emphasis: Use italics for emphasis rather than underlining. Avoid using bold text except for headings or emphasis in specific instances.
5. Formatting Scriptures
Standalone Verses:
- Copy and paste verses directly from an online source (do not type them manually).
- Center and italicize the verse.
- Include the book of the Bible at the end of the verse and on the next line.
My God shall provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
In-Text Verses:
- Place a comma after the final word of the sentence before the Scripture.
- Use double quotation marks for the Scripture text inline.
- Capitalize the first letter of the Scripture.
- Italicize the Scripture text.
- Include the verse reference in parentheses.
Example: Paul taught the Philippian Church that, “My God shall provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
6. Formatting Special Elements
- Footnotes and Endnotes: Format with superscript numbers in the text and listed at the bottom of the page or at the end of the manuscript.
- Tables and Figures: Place tables and figures as close to their reference point in the text as possible. Label and caption them clearly. Refer to each table or figure in the text.
7. Submission Requirements
- File Format: Save and submit your manuscript in Word document on email.
- Cover Letter: Include a cover letter with your manuscript submission.
8. Final Proofreading
- Proofread: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your manuscript to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies.
- Review Guidelines: Carefully review the submission guidelines.
Step1: Prepare Yourself to Get Published…
Are you ready to publish your book? Here is how you need to prepare. Have your manuscript ready and explore the oprions available today. If you are stuck in getting it started or finished, there is several ways to get help. Explore and get published today!
Read MoreStep2: Let’s Talk About Publishing
The self-publishing landscape has changed considerably in the past two decades with new technologies such as the Internet, and the $1 billion markets continuing to change at a rapid pace. Increasingly, there are numerous alternatives to traditional publishing, and self-publishing is becoming the first choice for writers.
Read MoreStep3: Factors to Consider Before Self Publishing
Jesus, while talking to the disciples about following Him, asked them to count the cost. The same Scripture applies to authors today - you have to count the cost from the beginning to ensure you don't stop at some point in your book project's journey.
Read MoreStep4: Requirements for Self Publishing
Are you ready to be published? Use our 4 points check list and tick 'Published Author' box so you can move on to the next God-given assignment...
Read MoreStep5: Publishing Steps – Review
Is your manuscript due for a review towards getting published? The major focus during manuscript review is the general quality of the book. It is important to establish the overall completeness, scope and readership of the manuscript and whether the presentation and accessibility of the book is suitable. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5a: How to Write a Book Dedication
A book dedication is a way for you, the author to bestow a high honor on a person (or a group of people) you wish to praise or otherwise spotlight. This dedication note is often short and usually focused on one person (or a specific group of people). It’s supposed to be personal, rather than professional. It goes on the dedication page, which is in the very front of the book, after the title page. Here's how to write one. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5b: How to Write a Book’s Foreword
A well-written foreword can function as the ultimate third-party recommendation or endorsement for your book, generating interest and helping when it’s time to market your book. Here are the benefits of forewords and a guide to writing one. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5c: How to Write a Book Introduction
Are you stuck on writing your book introduction? Here's how to... Hook the reader right from the beginning with a personal story from your life, a funny story, a joke, or just an interesting fact that causes him/her to want to continue reading. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5d: How to Write a Book’s Conclusion
If your readers are in the conclusion chapter, it also means they read the whole book, they liked it, and now they want you to wrap it up. So don’t rash it. Give them what they want. Here's how to write a good conclusion for your book. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5e: How to Write an Author’s Bio
People are looking for reasons why they should spend their time reading what you have written. You need to instill confidence in your readers that you are knowledgeable on the subject matter by writing an appropriate bio. Here's how to write one. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5f: How to Write a Book’s Blurb
A blurb is a short yet descriptive account of the book that goes on the back cover or within the book sleeve of a hardcover book. It includes any information that represents the book best and intrigues the readers and shoppers to pick the book off the shelves. Here's how to write one... #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5g: What to Include in the Copyright Page and Complete the Copyrighting Process
Copyright law gives creators of original material the exclusive right to further use and duplicate that material for a given amount of time, at which point the copyrighted item becomes public domain. Here's what you need to know. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5h: How to Write an Acknowledgment
An acknowledgment section in a book provides the space to go into lenghty details in thanking the people who were sources of inspiration and support for your book and life. Here'show to write one. #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5i: How to Write a Table of Contents
A table of content shows the things that are held or included in something. In the book industry, it is a list of the chapters or sections given at the front of a book or periodical. Here's how to write one... #RaisingAfricanVoices
Read MoreStep5j: Should a Non-Fiction Book Have a Subtitle?
A book’s subtitle is a secondary title that typically follows the main title and provides additional information about the book’s content, theme, or purpose.For example, in the book “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis, the subtitle is “The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond,” which gives potential readers a clearer idea of the subjects covered […]
Read MoreStep5k: Why Organising Your Non-Fiction Into Chapters Is Important
A book’s chapter is a distinct section within the book that focuses on a specific topic or aspect of the overall subject. Each chapter typically serves a unique purpose and contributes to the development of the book’s main theme or narrative. Here are some key characteristics of chapters: Organizes Content: Chapters help structure the book’s […]
Read MoreStep5l: Why Self-Edit Your Book Before Submitting it for Publishing?
Self-editing of creative books involves reviewing and revising your own manuscript to improve its clarity, coherence, and overall quality before submitting it for professional editing or publishing. This process is crucial for refining the content and ensuring that the book effectively communicates its message.Self-editing requires careful attention to detail and a critical eye to spot […]
Read MoreStep6a: How to Write a Devotional
A devotional book is a literary work designed to provide spiritual inspiration, guidance, and reflection for readers seeking to deepen their faith and relationship with God.
Read MoreStep6b: How to Write a Captivating Novel
A great novel is a complex interplay of various elements, but some key components often contribute to its greatness.
Read MoreStep6c: How to Use Dialogue in Story Writing
Effective dialogue is characterized by authenticity, clarity, and relevance to the story. It should sound natural and believable, reflecting the unique voices and perspectives of the characters. Dialogue tags, such as "said," "asked," and "replied," help identify speakers and maintain clarity in conversations.
Read MoreStep6d: How to Use ‘Show Don’t Tell’ in Story Writing
"Show don't tell" is a fundamental principle in storytelling that encourages writers to use descriptive language, actions, dialogue and scenes to reveal information to the reader, rather than simply telling them outright.
Read MoreStep6e: How to Elevate a Non-fiction Christian Book to Make it Personal and Engaging
"Show don't tell" is a fundamental principle in storytelling that encourages writers to use descriptive language, actions, dialogue and scenes to reveal information to the reader, rather than simply telling them outright.
Read MoreStep6f: Ethical ways to use other people’s public stories in a non-fiction Christian book
"Show don't tell" is a fundamental principle in storytelling that encourages writers to use descriptive language, actions, dialogue and scenes to reveal information to the reader, rather than simply telling them outright.
Read MoreStep6g: How to overcome the challenge of mixed languages in writing a manuscript
"Show don't tell" is a fundamental principle in storytelling that encourages writers to use descriptive language, actions, dialogue and scenes to reveal information to the reader, rather than simply telling them outright.
Read MoreStep6h: How to Peer Review Fiction and Non-Fiction Christian Literature Manuscripts
Here are some tips for effectively peer reviewing such a manuscript:
Read MoreStep7a: The Art of the Author Photo: Essential Specs for a Professional and Polished Image
Professional photos on a book’s back page play a crucial role in an author’s branding and marketing strategy.
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